Re: Replacing headlights 2002 Altima: Are they kidding?

On the left front head lamp, I checked into this and found that alot of work
would have to be done - looked like most of the bumper would need to be

removed. I took the vehicle to the dealer and was quoted 1.5 hrs labor to
change the lamp.
I called Nissan to voice a complaint about the design of the car that would
require this much labor to change a headlamp bulb. They were not very
sympathetic and even mentioned that "this was life" - "the design was
good" - etc.
On the right front head lamp, the bulbs are easier to get to with no removal
of plastics required.
I am thoroughly disgusted with Nissan concerning this.

Had my left side buld go out. Read a lot of scary posts about labor, etc.
to get it replaced. Took it to my mechanic, who charged me $15 for the
bulb, and threw in the labor for free. I was having other stuff done at
the time (trans flush, brakes), so I guess that helped. Point being...it
probably wasn't THAT MUCH of a big job when they didn't charge me. Either
that, or they really like me.

I replaced driver's side low-beam last night in 35 minutes. Remove the air
cleaner housing, twist counterclockwise and remove the white plastic cover
from rear of headlamp assembly, and bulb replacement is quick and easy.
To remove air cleaner housing, one bolt on left fender, uncouple from hose
in front of housing, and lift out. You will have to pull hard because it
is supported by two friction supports on bottom.

It's the bolt right on the frame. Yeah, it took some little umph to pull it
out. Make sure you don't pull all the way so the wires to the housing won't
break.
btw. after going to nissan to get a quote to replace the bulbs, i did not
want to fork out nearly 200 bucks to change them. so, i took the liberty
to do it myself. looks like i have to take it back to the dealer because i
found out that one of the wires is burnt not the bulb. Geez!
i think altima 02 has a problem with the left headlight because i found
numerous cases of blown out bulbs. perhaps, nissan poorly designed the
circuits therefore creating an imbalance of power to the headlights.
but thanks for the threads fellas.

I found this reco on replacing the driver side headlight on my 2002 Altima
very helpful. I would add that I found it easier to remove the plastic
shroud over the fan as well. This shroud connects in with the air intake
and has a yellow caution sticker on it. Curiously enough, once I had
everything disassembled but before replacing the bulb, I checked the
lights and it mysteriously works now. Guess the problem was a loose
connection in the wiring or to the bulb itself.

I found this reco on replacing the driver side headlight on my 2002 Altima
very helpful. I would add that I found it easier to remove the plastic
shroud over the fan as well. This shroud connects in with the air intake
and has a yellow caution sticker on it. Curiously enough, once I had
everything disassembled but before replacing the bulb, I checked the
lights and it mysteriously works now. Guess the problem was a loose
connection in the wiring or to the bulb itself.

I replaced both left and right low-beam bulbs in my 2005 2.5S Altima with
H1 Sylvania SilverStars. It was a bit of work (about 20 minutes for each
light) but it wasn't difficult. All you have to do is for the passenger
side is take off the two 10mm bolts holding the radiator overflow bottle
and lay it aside and then take off that little bracket on the fender.
Unscrew the white ring (takes a bit of effort) clockwise, unclip the
spring holding the bulb and lift it on its pivot till it stays up, romovr
the bulb and swap in the new one. With the drivers side you have to take
off the air cleaner cover and remove the filter. Next you take off the
bolt on the fender and yank the whole assembly up and out. Replace the
bulb as stated above. Do all this in daylight. I did it all in the night
with a flashlight..not reccomended. Ohhhhhhhh and by the way....Osram
Silverstars are not superior to Sylvania SilverStars. Read the Sylvania
website and they will tell you that the European Osram SilverStars are
just the same as American/Canadian Sylvania High-Output bulbs available on
any autopart store shelf.

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